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If your credit union is looking to identify a new organization to partner with as part of your Ending Hunger efforts, Cooking for Community is a movement that is worthy of your support.
What Is Cooking For Community?
Cooking for Community is a Portland-based grassroots organization that raises money to hire local restaurants to prepare healthy meals for people who need food, using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Their ask to buy local helps Maine food producers who are struggling because of lower demand from restaurants.
Money raised goes directly to local restaurant partners, who are required to provide a set number of cost-effective meals per week, while adhering to all relevant safety protocols. Their social service affiliates then distribute these meals where they are most needed in the community, creating a matrix of outreach no single entity could deliver alone.
Cooking for Community is fueled by a dedicated crew of donors, advisors, partner organizations, kitchen workers, chefs, and harvesters who have worked together to provide tens of thousands of meals since its inception in early April. Through its unique set-up, Cooking for Community systematically addresses multiple societal crises (hunger, unemployment, and economic devastation) for local communities in Maine.
How You Can Lend a Hand
With COVID-19 rates skyrocketing, homelessness, unemployment, and hunger inevitably will increase. To help address these issues and respond to ongoing requests from restaurants and agencies for more support, Cooking for Community is looking to expand its work through June 2021. To accomplish this goal, Cooking for Community is hoping to raise an additional $500,000 to double its efforts in 2021, increase its support for the restaurant economy, and reach additional geographic areas in need. At the same time, the organization will engage stakeholders to evaluate how to sustain this innovative model, which supports the restaurant economy and fights food insecurity at the same time.
If your credit union would like to get involved with Cooking for Community or make a donation to support its mission, please email info@cookingforcommunity.org or visit, www.cookingforcommunity.org/donate-now.
Evergreen CU Launches Holiday Gift Drive
Following the success of its last donation drive, Evergreen CU is teaming up with Cooking for Community for another fundraiser. The credit union is currently sponsoring a Holiday Gift Drive, matching donations one-to-one—up to $1,000—for gifts made now through December 31, 2020. You can join Evergreen CU and provide a gift of caring and compassion in honor of someone you care about this holiday season. To participate, donate online or email info@cookingforcommunity.org and include the following:
- Person’s name you would like included on the certificate.
- Dollar amount of your donation.
- Email address where you would like the personalized certificate sent.
